Justice League America #61

On to the new creative team, and a villian they haven't faced before -- the Weapons Master!  

So, it appears that Superman has joined the JLA.  And Maxima?  Where did she come from?  At least Booster and Beetle are both back.  So then, along with Ice, Fire and Guy, this must be the new roster.  Or maybe not... I will have to read that JLA Spectacular.  Hmmmm.

The cover shows Beetle playing chess with JLA pieces against the Weapons Master, but this doesn't really occur until the very end of the issue.  The story leading up to it shows a feisty Ice, who is siding with Superman over Max and even Guy.  Ice seems to have a major thing for Supes here (but who wouldn't?).  Meanwhile Guy is again trying to assert authority over the League, when Maxima shows up and offers to fight him for a leadership role (after he beats Beetle and Booster, to show his superiority).  That never happens, of course.  Because the Weapons Master shows up, looking to steal Guy's ring for the Dominion (pink guys with big teeth?).  Maxima shows off some impressive powers, but the Weapons Master is winning.  

Superman (and Ice) are ready to throw Max out of his position, and they make for the JLA headquarters (which may still be the cave).  They show up just in time to give the Weapons Master a little more fun, but he ultimately beats Ice, Fire and Superman.  He only leaves when a new guy, Bloodwynd, shows up.  He is a sorceror, and right now we don't know who's side he's on.

The Weapons Master is supposed to take the ring back to the Dominator, but instead takes the JLA back to his secret dimensional headquarters, where he is going to force Beetle to play chess for their lives.  

Not a bad story, but you can tell it's not Giffen.  Really more about the action than the bwa-ha-ha.  Oh, well.